Introduction
Released by Atari Games in 1987, APB: All Points Bulletin is a unique arcade driving game where players step into the shoes of rookie police officer Officer Bob. Rather than chasing high-speed thrills alone, APB blended car-based gameplay with time limits, ticket quotas, and escalating penalties—injecting the standard driving formula with satirical humor and management-style pressure.
Development and History
- Developer: Atari Games
- Publisher: Atari Games
- Release Date: 1987
- Platform: Atari System 2 hardware (enhanced 68010 CPU, custom graphics)
Developed during a period of experimentation at Atari, APB was created by Dave Ralston and Mike Hally—both known for their work on other Atari classics such as RoadBlasters and Star Wars. The idea was to turn the car chase into a daily grind, complete with quotas, paperwork, and exaggerated consequences.
The game featured digitized speech, a colorful top-down isometric view, and a unique control scheme using a steering wheel, foot pedals, and a siren button. The cabinet design resembled a compact police dashboard setup.
Gameplay Video
Gameplay and Mechanics
Players take on daily patrols with specific ticket quotas to meet—often requiring you to arrest litterbugs, speeders, hitchhikers, or armed robbers. The game mixes driving skills with rapid reaction time and resource management.
Key features:
- Overhead angled view for city navigation
- Steering wheel, accelerator and brake pedals, and a flashing red siren button
- Time-limited shifts with quota tracking and escalating difficulty
- Pull over civilians by activating your siren and approaching their vehicle
- Chase and ram fleeing suspects to subdue them
- Visit Donut shops to extend your shift
- Avoid hitting pedestrians or property to prevent disciplinary points
- After too many infractions, Officer Bob is chewed out by the angry police chief in humorous cutscenes
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Though not a massive commercial success, APB stood out for its personality and genre-bending.
- Considered a cult favorite for its blend of comedy and driving mechanics
- Noted for early use of digitized voices and character expressions
- Seen as a spiritual cousin to Paperboy, another Atari game satirizing everyday professions
- Ports were planned for several home systems (e.g. ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC) and some were released by Tengen
- Its police satire and dynamic missions made it a unique precursor to more serious open-world police games
Fun Facts
- The player’s name is “Officer Bob,” but he’s always referred to with disdain by his boss
- The red siren button is crucial—not just for arrests, but also to avoid disciplinary actions
- The game ends when you fail to meet your quota or get too many reprimands
- Humorous cutscenes feature exaggerated yelling, hair-pulling, and slamming on desks
- APB was later included in collections like Midway Arcade Treasures 2 (console re-release)
Conclusion
APB: All Points Bulletin delivered a blend of arcade action and dark comedy rarely seen in the genre. Its vibrant visuals, immersive controls, and satirical take on law enforcement gave it lasting cult appeal—even if it never reached the commercial heights of its peers. It remains one of Atari’s most unusual and charming arcade experiments.